Art and competition

Flesh Love Chihiro & Takeshi by Hal. First Place The Art of Photography Show 2011

I usually focus on the local art scene with art lovers in mind. This week’s column is dedicated to art makers. I want to share some information about two of the more significant juried exhibitions that San Diego has to offer. So, listen up LGBT artists!

The jury is out (pun intended) on how worthy juried exhibitions are in the career of a professional artist. Some artists find them offensive and choose not to pay anyone to have their artwork appreciated whether it’s paying a gallery to show their work or paying an application fee to enter a juried show. But it can be tempting because there are a lot out there! In fact, juried exhibitions might be more beneficial to the increasing number of arts organizations, museums and galleries that are getting into the art-judging business. After all there are lots of people making art and most of them are eager to find an audience. So, find a juror with some reputation, charge between $5 and $30 per application, offer a small prize, hold an exhibition and the result can represent a useful income stream.

In my opinion I think the juried show is an excellent way for beginning artists to get something on their resume and begin to develop a career that might pay their bills. My advice is to be very clear about whether your work fits the parameters of the call for work and the exhibiting organization. The more credentialed the juror the better. And don’t pay more than approximately $25 for your application. Basically weigh the (low) odds of winning, the value of having someone with clout seeing your work and the cost.

With that in mind two exhibitions that have solid track records here in San Diego are The Art of Photography Show and the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library’s 21st Annual Juried Exhibition. Here’s the scoop and good luck!

The Art of Photography Show

This exhibition attracts a LOT of applications. Submission prices are reasonable but make sure to submit your very best work. This year the show moves from the Lyceum Theatre to the San Diego Art Institute.

Deadline: June 30

Judge: Julian Cox, curator of photography and chief curator, de Young Museum, San Francisco.

Athenaeum Music & Arts Library’s 21st Annual Juried Exhibition

The Athenaeum in La Jolla is one of the more revered arts organizations in town. This juried show is open to artists living or working in San Diego County and accepts both 2-D and 3-D work.